Let us grant the atheistic assumption that all humans are destined for non-being. There is nothing after death, only the absence of existence. Is it possible for man to conceive of this -- non-being and pure absence? Is it possible for man to grasp what it means to be a corpse? Try. Conceive of Nothingness. Think on non-being. Did you think of a large expanse of black? Try again, for you've thought of a large expanse of black, which is something. Of white? Nope, still something. Did … [Read more...]

I wouldn't mind not believing in Heaven. The ancient Jews managed to do it, which is in itself a testimony to the validity of their religion: The most strict, most terrifying moral code in human history was followed without any promise of eternal reward. (If religion is the opium of the people, we are a masochistic people smoking some godawful opium.) But no matter how hard I try to conceptualize a merely finite life -- a life without Heaven -- I find myself contradicting human experience. … [Read more...]

I don't think I'd make a good atheist, for dwelling within me is a strange desire to be happy. This isn't to say atheists aren't happy, of course. In fact, most of my atheist friends are a damn sight happier than myself. But the existence of this desire poses a problem. The desire for happiness is naturally oriented towards eternal happiness. When I am happy, I have no desire for that happiness to end. Such a thing would be inconceivable, directly contrary to the very nature of … [Read more...]

Now what Chesterton said is true, that “the atheist is not interested in anything except attacks on atheism.” Thus my last post, 3 Arguments Atheists Aren't Allowed To Use Anymore, attracted the beautiful and educated eyes of a certain Mr. Mehta, who contributes to The Friendly Atheist. Whether he really is friendly is a thing I'm unsure about, for the word "friend" is derived from the Old English freond, "to love," and to love is to desire the ultimate good of the beloved, and the … [Read more...]

I mean you can, but you'll look dumb. 1. Babies Are Atheists The argument goes like this: Babies aren't born with any pre-conceived notion of religion, God, or the supernatural world. These falsehoods are forced upon the child's innocent, atheistic mind by his parents. All religion is indoctrination -- there's nothing inherent or natural about it. This is an argument heavily promoted by the whole RELIGION IS CHILD ABUSE crowd, which has always made me think, "Dang, I can't wait to … [Read more...]

The phenomenon of online-misery can be achieved by: a) Reading the news. b) Caring about the news. c) Trolling Planned Parenthood's Facebook for 2 or 3 minutes (can we have a day for that? (International Rick Roll Planned Parenthood Day?)) But do not despair! There is one pasture in the waste land, one myrrh-scented site guaranteed to lift the spirit back to the transcendent. I speaketh, of courseth, of r/atheism. For those of you normal, healthy people unaware of the world of Reddit, … [Read more...]